What's the whole story with Bedard?

Don’t post comments over at the PI blog. It’ll save you a lot of frustration.

Bedard is def. being singled out as a particular breed of Clubhouse Cancer by Bavasi… but it’s probably true… Bedard is kind of adversarial with the press. I don’t think this is because of Bedard’s dislike of the media, but probably his general jack-hole-ness towards lots of folks. He was probably rude on multiple occasions to Bavasi.

I suspect he’s a smart enough guy, but probably not Mr. Pleasant, which of course goes against M’s philosophy.

This is like going to a used car lot with your brand new import and trading it in for a used one that peforms perfectly and then you try and drive it off-road in poor conditions and bitch about the color.

I am sure there is a better analogy to be made.

SInce when is Bavasi the pitching coach? Why does his insight even matter?

Why does Washburn suck at 90-95 pitches? Is no one gonna ask that?

Bavasi does not trash Bedard in the least, in fact he defends him. Finally, he grows exasperated for having to make excuses for what is ultimately a pretty dumb question and says to go ask Erik. He then says that the response will likely be ‘dumbass’ meaning curt and evasive, which is absolutely true. Not trashing him at all.

The thing about 100 pitches… eh, Washburn pitches like a career minor leaguer after 90, and no one gives him shit about it. Bedard is fragile, knows his limits, and is mature enough to tell his coaches when he’s gassed. I wish more of our pitchers did that, frankly.

When the media guys were giving him shit for his attitude towards them, I didn’t really have a problem with it. He’s kind of a jerk to them, and it can make their jobs tougher. With that being said, I had no problem with the way he acted towards the media, either; some of the funniest people I know are jerks sometimes, and it’s not as though he refused to answer questions, he just did it in a way that pissed the media guys off and I thought was pretty hilarious.

This “lazy 100 pitch pitcher” crap is ridiculous, though. He’s being criticized for Bavasi’s decision to trade for him, even though he’s been about what most (observant) people thought he would be. Most of the media guys loved the trade, and because the season has gone in the crapper, he’s become a lightning rod. (And I know Brewer was against the trade, but Bedard still represents, to most people, the failure of this season.)

I like Brewer for the most part, and I liked this article for the most part, but after reading it a second time, some of his assertions are way off base and pretty unfair.

Bedard had 8 K’s in 6 IP in his last start… is it possible he’s going for K’s because he’s not too confident in the defense behind him? Y’know, trying to take matters into his own hands and get outs that might otherwise roll on by Jose Lopez, or drop just in front of Raul?

Have no idea… just wondering.

I think he is just a quiet guy that doesn’t like to be bothered.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3426985

Guys, you’re getting what we’ve had for 3 years. A few things your FO should have known:

1) Bedard doesn’t do media. He’s never been a clubhouse problem, but you will never get more than 1 sentence out of him. English isn’t his first language, and he just doesn’t feel comfortable with the media.

2) Most AL starters top out around 100 pitches. From a post at CamdenChat:

In his 12 starts this year, he has pitched over 100 on 6 of them, although it’s usually between 100-110. In fact, 110 is the most pitches he’s thrown all year. Last year he made 28 starts, and he pitched over 100 pitches in 21 of them (75%). He did go deeper last year, though, throwing greater than 110 pitches 10 times, the most being 120.

For comparison’s sake, since Erik was obtained by Seattle to be their "ace," here are some stats on other teams aces (2007 season).

Boston: In 30 starts, Josh Beckett pitched greater than 100 pitches in 20 of them (67%) . He pitched greater than 110 pitches in 10 starts, and the most in one game was 118 (once).

Cleveland: In 34 starts, C.C. Sabathia pitched greater than 100 pitches in 27 of them (79%). He pitched greater than 110 pitches in 8 times, most in one game 119 (twice)

Tampa Bay: In 34 starts, Scott Kazmir pitched greater than 100 pitches in 26 of them (76%). He pitched greater than 110 pitches 11 times, most in one game 118.

3). He’s almost a guarantee to not make it through a whole season uninjured. He’s had TJ surgery, he had injury issues last year, and has only started more than 30 starts 1 time. That’s it – one time.

Sure, he’s underperformed this season. But he was never going to be an innings-eating monster with 38 starts. It’s just not Erik. Never has been, probably never will be. Usually, though, for the last year and a half he was with the O’s, those starts you did get gave you an almost 50% chance he would be the winning pitcher.